End of the lane for 'Housewives'

When “Desperate Housewives” premiered in September 2004, the ABC drama was one of the most anticipated new fall shows. That's saying a lot given the other new shows of that season – “Lost,” which would become a cult hit, the fan fave “House,” which also ends this year, and the critically acclaimed “Veronica Mars,” whose star Kristen Bell went on to film fame. The original cast of “Desperate Housewives” included soap opera and television series veterans, but none of the ensemble cast was a bona fide star. That would soon change as viewers tuned in to the wacky and mysterious happenings of Wisteria Lane. With the popular series ending its eight-season run on Sunday, May 13, we take a look at the show's Latino stars, two actors with San Antonio ties that portrayed a household as dysfunctional as their non-Latino neighbors, and the numerous Latino actors who paid a visit to the neighborhood.

Pre-“DH” career: She played former call girl Isabella Braña Williams for two years on the CBS daytime drama “The Young and the Restless” until the character was sent away to a mental hospital.

“DH” character highlights: As Gabby Solis, she had an affair with her young yard guy, divorced her husband, whom she later remarried and buried another husband after he was impaled on a fence. She also confronted her former stepfather, whose death has been at the core of the final season, about his abusive past.

“DH” career impact: The show's popularity made the Corpus Christi-area native an A-list star, helped her snag a San Antonio Spur and landed her lucrative endorsement contracts, including for L'Oreal and M&M candies.

Post-“DH” career: Look for Longoria, who hasn't had much luck on the big screen, opposite Andy Garcia in this summer's “For Greater Glory,” a chronicle of the Cristeros War in Mexico.

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It was tough for some “Ugly Betty” fans to see sweet Mr. Suarez play the source of Gabby's nightmares as her former stepfather Alejandro Perez last season.

Lupe Ontiveros

We can't think of anyone better to play metiche mama Juanita Solis than the show biz veteran who made her character's fatal tumble down a flight of hospital stairs in season one as funny as it was tragic.

Madison De La Garza

Demi Lovato's kid sis is a TV veteran at age 10, thanks to her four-season stint as Carlos and Gabby's wise-cracking daughter Juanita, who bears her paternal grandmother's name.

Maria Conchita Alonso

The former beauty queen was a great choice to play the over-the-top mother of drama queen Gabby during the show's second season.

Daniela Bobadilla

She's not a well-known name yet, but her upcoming stint as Charlie's Sheen's daughter on “Anger Management” could do for the Mexico City native's career what her brief season-eight stint as Marisa Sanchez couldn't.

Catch it!

“Desperate Housewives”

What: The show that made Eva Longoria an A-list star, gave San Antonio native and UIW grad Ricardo Antonio Chavira his big break and revived the careers of Nicollette Sheridan, Teri Hatcher and soap opera veteran Marcia Cross ends its eight-season run with a two-hour finale.

When: 8 p.m. Sunday, May 13

Where: ABC

Look for: The Huffington Post, citing a network release, teases the finale will feature an arrest and the return of a former Wisteria Lane resident. Online rumors have some deceased characters, including the elder Juanita Solis (Lupe Ontiveros), returning for cameos.

Pre-“DH” career: A 2003 four-episode stint as Ramon on HBO's “Six Feet Under” and a few TV guest spots were his highest-profile gigs.

“DH” character highlights: As Carlos Solis, he was accused of hate crimes, went to prison, mourned his mother's sudden death, divorced and remarried Gabby, became a father, lost his sight, lost his money and covered up the killing of his wife's former stepfather.

“DH” career impact: The show gave the San Antonio native and UIW grad the opportunity to pursue his love of the theater. It also landed him roles in acclaimed indie films, such as “Days of Wrath” and “Don't Let Me Drown.”

Post-“DH” career: Chavira is one of the investors behind the planned revival of Taco Land, set to open later this year. Look for Chavira in the feature film “Untold,” based on the true story of a young girl abducted from a Florida mall in the 1980s who spent years dealing with the abduction's aftermath.